Larry Combest: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3900 is a short and simple bill to address two problems related to the implementation of the 1996 farm…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3900 is a short and simple bill to address two problems related to the implementation of the 1996 farm bill, or the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act. This bill has been the subject of many staff discussions between Republicans and Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee and with staff of the Department of Agriculture. I have personally visited with my good friend, Secretary Dan Glickman, about the first part of this bill and he supports making this change. The first part of the bill simply allows farmers to plant a secondary crop of fruits or vegetables on their farm program acreage following a crop which has failed earlier in the year. This practice, referred to as ghost acres, has been allowed for several years but is being disallowed this year due to the interpretation of the new farm bill by USDA. Allowing this practice clarifies the intent of Congress and does not violate the spirit of any agreements made on the issue of planting flexibility under the new farm bill.”